Stocks rise as a bounce in oil prices lifts energy sector
By STAN CHOE and DAMIAN J. TROISE AP Business Writers
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks rose and the price of oil bounced further off its lowest level in 18 years after President Donald Trump said he expects Saudi Arabia and Russia to dial down their price war. The price of oil soared 24% Thursday to nearly $25 a barrel. Energy stocks rose 10%, though they still face extreme challenges with the price of oil as low as it its. The S&P 500 rose 2%. The gains helped overshadow another report showing the coronavirus outbreak is forcing a record-breaking number of Americans into the unemployment queue. More than 6.6 million people applied for unemployment benefits last week.

Harrisburg, PA- The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 2, that there are 1,211 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 7,016 in 62 counties. The department also reported 16 new deaths among positive cases, bringing the statewide total to 90. County-specific information and a statewide map are available here. All people are either in isolation at home or being treated at the hospital.

Locally in Beaver County the numbers have increased with Beaver County now reporting 55 cases, up one from yesterday and still two deaths in the county (a third is being reported but not confirmed by the health Department)

“The continued rise in cases combined with our increasing deaths from COVID-19 reflects the seriousness of this situation,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “We need everyone to listen to the orders in place and to stay calm, stay home and stay safe. We know that these prolonged mitigation effects have been difficult for everyone, but it is essential that everyone follows these orders and does not go out unless they absolutely must.”

There are 47,698 patients who have tested negative to date. Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

• Nearly 1% are aged 0-4;
• Nearly 1% are aged 5-12;
• 1% are aged 13-18;
• Nearly 9% are aged 19-24;
• Nearly 41% are aged 25-49;
• Nearly 29% are aged 50-64; and
• 19% are aged 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are aged 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. There have been no pediatric deaths to date. More data is available here.

All non-life-sustaining businesses are ordered to be closed and schools are closed statewide indefinitely. Currently the entire state is under a stay-at-home order.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, April 1:

• Announced a statewide stay-at-home order, effective 8 p.m., April 1.

• Announced Pennsylvania State Police non-life-sustaining business closure enforcement numbers.

For the latest information for individuals, families, businesses and schools, visit “Responding to COVID-19” on pa.gov.

Below is a breakdown of cases and deaths by county:

County Case Counts to Date

Beaver County Radio’s Sandy Giordano has the latest on State Representative Rob Matzie’s plea to County citizens in regards to the 2020 census:

 

Joe Biden predicts Democratic convention delay until August
By BILL BARROW Associated Press
Prospective Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden says he thinks his party’s nominating convention will have to be pushed back from July into August because of coronavirus. The pandemic is forcing Democrats and Republicans to take a close look at at their summer conventions, which typically kick off the general election season. Biden made his statement in an interview Wednesday with late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel. Biden noted in a separate interview Tuesday that Democrats “have more time” to figure things out. Republicans are expressing confidence they can pull off their convention as scheduled in late August. But party Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel still allows for the possibility the pandemic could upend GOP plans.

Economic fallout mounts, along with competition for masks
By MICHAEL R. SISAK, LORI HINNANT and MARK SHERMAN Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — The economic damage from the coronavirus crisis piled up as a record 6.6 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits, and the competition for masks and other protective gear intensified amid growing evidence that people who are infected but have no symptoms can spread the virus. The new unemployment claims announced Thursday, double those of last week’s previous record high, mean 10 million people have lost their jobs over two weeks because of the virus outbreak and also almost certainly signal the onset of a severe global recession.

A record 10 million sought US jobless aid in past 2 weeks
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 6.6 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, far exceeding a record high set just last week, a sign that layoffs are accelerating in the midst of the coronavirus. The job cuts are mounting against the backdrop of economies in the United States and abroad that have almost certainly sunk into a severe recession as businesses close across the world. Last week’s figure is much higher than the previous record of 3.3 million reported for the previous week. The surging layoffs have led many economists to envision as many as 20 million lost jobs by the end of April.

(Beaver, Pa.) Pennsylvania municipalities and counties will receive nearly $171 million under CARES Act that was passed by Congress, while Beaver County should get almost $3 million U.S. Sen. Bob Casey said in a statement sent out yesterday.

Beaver County will receive just under $2 million in CDBG funding and nearly $1 million in ESG funding.

In the statement Sen Casey said the money would “help provide shelter to homeless individuals, increase affordable housing options, develop infrastructure and maintain crucial public services, among other uses.”

Senator Casey said that CDBG funding “plays an instrumental role” in helping local projects that create jobs and contribute to economic growth.”